THE GEOLOGIST. 
59 
interesting objects, as also other portions of the fish ; but we should 
like to see some representation of the complete fish." We reply, that 
no perfect specimen has yet been found, or any near approximation to 
a perfect fish or reptile, in this locality; but we know this, that 
comparative anatomy is now so far advanced that, with the jaws and 
teeth, a true representation may be obtained. These we have, and it 
only rests with the comparative anatomist to decipher the whole. It is 
no slight gain in these discoveries to furnish the requisites for a more 
complete elucidation. 
In conclusion, we see that in the course of time another race 
of beings is found to occupy the site of one that is past; and who 
can tell but that the railroads of this kingdom, which have proved the 
means of disinterring these and other organic remains, may be one day 
again submerged, and that fishes may once more luxuriate over the now 
verdant plains of England ? It may be supposed that the race of man 
will never become extinct so long as the world exists, but we know 
not 
" Thro' what new scen(>s and changes we must pass : 
The wide unbounded prospect lies before us ;" 
the future we cannot trace. We do not infer that any new race of 
creatures will at some future time expatiate on the remains which man 
may have left on record of his existence on the face of this globe. The 
importance of mind, with its endowments, bespeaks a change from an 
earthly character to one more spiritual and refined, so that in all pro- 
bability we are fast hastening to the last stage of the drama ; and that 
what has been earthly and sensual will become ethereal and spiritual. 
The physiological condition of this planet indicates that man, like the 
inferior creatures around him, has passed the subordinate stages of animal 
existence, clothed with beauty as many of those scenes undoubtedly 
were in the history of the past ; still, the present like to it, is only an 
inferior condition of his being, the embryo of his existence, the 
threshold of the future. He looks upon the past as one scene of 
imperfect organism with all its wonderful development, and this wonder 
enhances his curiosity to know what is still awaiting him ; he finds 
himself tied to earth and its laws, as it regards his corporeal existence, 
but he longs to soar beyond the present, and attain to that future good 
which the Creator has dimly shadowed forth in the pages of Revelation. 
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